Your Virtual Gateway to Motorcycling the American West

[Carla]

Hello, backroads motorcycling enthusiasts, I'm Carla King, author of the motorcycle travel adventure book American Borders (http://www.motorcyclemisadventures.com/americanborders/), and I'm one of the moderators for OpenRoad.TV's motorcycle touring forum. I've motorcycled all over the world but I always love coming home to the Bay Area and the American West because, as you probably know, it's a popular motorcycling playground (http://openroad.tv/forum/showthread.php?t=49).

I haven't explored the area nearly as much as I want to, so I'm really doing this for selfish reasons! :) I'm looking forward to learning from you all about the roads less traveled as well as learning new things about all the beautiful roads most traveled in this great area. This is the place to post questions, too. There are so many knowledgeable people in the community with tidbits to share.

So let's get started. What's your favorite motorcycling road, your favorite motorcycling destination, your favorite backroads-riding motorcycle, a great motorcycle rental agency, motorcycle-friendly restaurants, campgrounds, or motels, a great motorcycle travel story or video, packing lists, gear recommendations, inspiring motorcycle adventurers and misadventures...whew! Where do we start?

I'll start some threads to get the wheels rolling, but really we start with you! To paraphrase Doug in his welcome video message (http://www.openroad.tv/video.php?vid=9&type=fp), we look forward to learning from you and engaging in some great conversations about the phenomenal region that we love so much. So get out there and enjoy the freedom of the open road, keep the shiny side up, and be sure to report back!

[oorahljim]

Carla;
Great site!
with Primedia no longer publishing Motorcycle Escape, and Cycle World no longer publishing Motorcycle Adventure, I hope this site will fill in the gaps on motorcycle touring!
Jim

[Sharon]

Greetings from Chi-town, where the sun is trying its best to shine through a mostly cloudy sky and cold morning.

Hi Carla, we met in Rosemont, IL at the CycleWorld show and connected afterwards. Great to "see" you here!

Just learned of this site from your wonderful podcast interview with DBrent Millier ( http://sojournchronicles.com/ ). Totally enjoyed listening in!

I'm looking forward to the evolution of this space and hearing from others. Next summer, I'm hoping to get out west for my own mc adventure.

Adios!

Sharon

[Carla]

Hi Sharon! Thanks for virtually joining us here in the west from the "mid." We're looking forward to your west coast visit. It was really great hanging out with you at the Cycle World show in Chicago this last winter. It was an interesting experience, walking through the snow to the convention center; all the bikers in the midwest seemed to have gathered there under the vast roof to take a look the new bikes and dream of the spring thaw. I felt a little guilty coming home to California sunshine after that. :rolleyes: (Sorry!)

Everyone, Sharon has a really great motorcycle blog, Sojourner's Moto Tales (http://sojournerrides.blogspot.com/): Solo female, "re-entry," rider's moto tales, obsessions, reviews and occasional rants about all things motorcycle related. A self-described "recovering academic," her weblog is full of great writing about roads and gear and a woman re-entering the riding world.

Welcome!

[Carla]

Carla;
Great site!
with Primedia no longer publishing Motorcycle Escape, and Cycle World no longer publishing Motorcycle Adventure, I hope this site will fill in the gaps on motorcycle touring!
Jim

Thanks Jim! With people like you participating in the forum, leading us to links, and submitting stories, videos, and photos, we'll try together to provide a great guide to the American West. --Carla

[wwhardy]

Hi Carla,
I love your new book, American Borders. Awesome reading!

Walter

[Carla]

Hi Carla,
I love your new book, American Borders. Awesome reading!
Walter

Walter, thank you so much!

[Dutches]

Hi Carla,

With the increase in the baby boomers into motorcycling, I think you could have a great opportunity to work along with Doug and to produce some cycling features on his TV programing.

My husband and I belong to a Goldwing group and its' members have traveled in 49 States over the last 30 years (perhaps more than 30!). However, there are always more sites to be seen and we always want more ideas. Of course, as you can imagine, if you need ideas, we certainly can give them to you as well.

It would be great for you to put Doug in a sidecar and set off on an adventure. He's a great personality and most fun to watch.

Hope you to see you on TV soon!

Dutches